Ray was born in Baltimore County's Long Green Valley in 1950, the youngest of four children of Alfred J. Koontz and Mary A. Koontz. When he was five years old, his parents completed the construction of their home on three acres adjacent to St. John's Church. Nine years later, Ray's parents provided their home and property to St. Johns at which time the "dream house" became a convent for the School Sisters. That was the type of selfless charity that would characterize the rest of Ray's life-a life dedicated to giving, to laughter, to the love and companionship of family and friends.

Ray graduated from Calvert Hall and received a football scholarship from the University Maryland. Although neck injuries limited Ray's football endeavors, he graduated in 1972 with a business degree. At both Calvert Hall and Maryland, Ray developed friendships that lasted a lifetime and any number of "do you remember" stories that have been swapped and retold throughout the course of his life, always to appreciative laughter from even those who had heard the stories any number of times in the past.

Ray was a salesman. He could sell anything, and a review of his work history suggests that maybe he did-beer (in college), life insurance, office equipment or supplies, mortgages, fleet management programs-if there was a product that could be sold, Ray could sell it. A lot of people in Baltimore and Hartford Counties believe that the only person who could ever conceivably outsell Ray would be his wife Nora.

Ray met Nora (McDonough) at the University of Maryland and they married shortly after graduation in December 1972. They lived in Perry Hall and Fallston before building their dream house in Baldwin, only steps from where Ray had lived as a child. Ray and Nora celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary last December.

Ray has claimed that he was the Pied Piper who led the influx of Baltimorons to Vero Beach. There is more than a kernel of truth in that assertion. Ray's older brother, Al, had moved in 1982 to rescue a floundering Piper Aircraft. After many visits, Ray and Nora purchased their first condo in 2004. Soon after, the deluge of Baltimoreans commenced. That is why on some Friday nights, the Quail Valley tiki bar resembles the Towson Crease of 1973.

Ray's faith and religion were important to him. He lived his religion every day. A daily communicant, Ray devoted countless hours to organizing and supervising Church related functions. He was an active member of the Knights of Columbus, and the This Man is You men's group.

Ray and Nora were not blessed with their own children, but they were a favorite Aunt and Uncle for 13 nieces and nephews and, of course, doted constantly on their great-nieces and great-nephews.

Ray loved Vero-he loved golf, the fishing, and the boating. He belonged to Quail Valley as well as the Indian River Golf Club. He made friends easily and kept them. Simply put, Ray was just fun to be with and made people smile.

His untimely passing is a huge shock to Holy Cross Parish, to the Knights of Columbus, and to the many, many friends who loved him, but most especially to Nora and Ray's family who seek the strength and guidance of the Lord at this most difficult time.

Ray is survived by his wife Nora, her four sisters and one brother, sister-in-law Carol Koontz and thirteen nieces and nephews.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday, April 24, 2023, at 11:00 AM at Holy Cross Catholic Church, 500 Iris Lane, Vero Beach, Florida 32963.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Knights of Columbus, Council 12141, in care of Holy Cross Catholic Church.